Abstract: A rain gauge for measurement of rain fall. The rain gauge includes: a measurement chamber having an inlet port at one end and a drainage port at the other end, the drainage port being closed by a valve and programmable to be opened at predefined events to release water collected in measurement chamber; a funnel or collector adapted to receive rain fall opens into the inlet port; and an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals into measurement chamber. The ultrasonic transducer is programmable to determine the water level in measurement chamber. An automatic weather station including the rain gauge is also provided.

Abstract: A shut-off device for a pipe in a pipeline and responsive to ingress of water, has at least two valves for installation in the pipe of the pipeline. Each valve has a valve member supported for movement between an open position when the valve is open for passage of a fluid through the pipe, and a closed position when the valve is closed for preventing passage of the fluid through the valve. The device includes a buoyant member associated with the valve members for causing movement of the valve members to the closed positions upon ingress of water to the buoyant member. The valve members are moved to the closed positions in respective upstream and downstream directions of passage of the fluid through the pipe.

Abstract: An aircraft hydraulic air bleed valve system having an air vent valve connected to an electronic controller where the opening of the air vent valve is permitted only when the aircraft is in a pre-determined flight mode where the aircraft flight mode is determined by a gyroscope connected to the controller.

Abstract: A bladder system and apparatus for use with a beverage barrel or container, to reduce undesirable head-space in a wooden container of a beverage, especially a fermented beverage, such as wine. The system continuously protects the beverage contained in a wooden barrel from the harmful effects of oxidation at the air-to-fluid interface in the head-space and compensates for ullage, attributable to evaporation, leakage or sampling losses. The system includes an inflation stem connected to a barrel bladder inflatable by filling with an inflation gas. The inflation stem includes a liquid level sensor and inserts into a bung opening. The fluid level is sensed and a gas valve opens to fill the bladder, reducing head-space within the barrel. The system can combine the control of several barrels and optionally with other sensors, to create a barrel monitoring and control network.

Abstract: The filling noise generated inside a pressurized container when liquid is injected into the container is detected at the outer end of a vent tube which extends into the container. When the level of liquid in the container reaches the lower end of the vent tube, the filling noise detected at the outer end is abruptly diminished. This abrupt change is detected and used to automatically terminate filling of the tank.

Abstract: This is a method for regulating pressure inside of a vessel containing a fermenting liquid for the purpose of regulating the amount of dissolved gas in the liquid. This is achieved by replacing the safety relief valve spring on the pressure vessel with a selected spring of known tension to maintain the desired pressure in the vessel. The method will vent excess pressure in the vessel automatically by having the spring compress more under the increased tension from the relief valve, thereby opening the valve and releasing excess gas until the pressure drops to the desired level and closing the valve.

Abstract: A variable volume fluid storage tank or reservoir and related fluid transfer system are provided for storing and transferring volatile or hazardous fluids, particularly such as fuel in an aircraft fuel supply system. Each fluid storage tank comprises a tank body in combination with a movable base wall defining a variable volume internal chamber for receiving and storing fluid. Each storage tank further includes a dispense port for dispensing the fluid, e.g., to a manifold or the like for supply to one or more aircraft engines, with the base wall moving relative to the tank body during fluid dispensing to substantially preclude any residual air or vapor space within the storage tank. A fluid level sensor unit mounted outside the tank chamber tracks displacement of the base wall to provide an indication of the fluid volume remaining within the storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an above-ground, explosion-retardant containment vessel for the storage of a flammable liquid. The containment vessel preferably comprises a primary storage tank capable of storing the flammable liquid and a containment dike surrounding the primary storage tank. The containment dike contains any leakage from the primary storage tank within the interstitial space existing between the exterior of the primary storage tank and the interior of the containment dike. An inert gas is preferably located within the interstitial space, and the interstitial space is further substantially free of oxygen. The inert environment retards the explosion of any flammable fluids which may leak into or otherwise be contained within the interstitial space. The containment vessel preferably further comprises a system capable of maintaining the pressure of the inert gas within the interstitial space to at least a predetermined pressure despite temperature variations.